Trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like

ABSTRACT

A body having actuating means attached thereto, which actuating means is biased toward a first position and normally maintained in a second position by a strap which deteriorates upon wetting to allow the actuating means to move into the first position. The trigger mechanism is associated with an inflatable life preserver or the like and a pressurized fluid container having valve means therein which are operated by the actuating means in the first position to allow the pressurized fluid to inflate the life preserver.

United States Patent Witte Aug. 8, 1972 TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR INFLATABLE LIFE PRESERVERS AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: John R. Witte, Homer, Minn. 55942 [22] Filed: Feb. 20, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 801,079

[52] US. Cl. ..222/3, 9/317, 9/319, 222/54 [51] Int. Cl ..B63c 9/16 [58] Field of Search ..9/317, 318, 319, 320, 323, 9/32; 137/67; 222/3, 54

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,355,751 12/1967 McGroarty ..9/323 572,109 12/1896 Gordon ..9/317 978,378 12/1910 lngaran o ..9/317 2,904,217 9/ l 959 Gurney ..222/ 3 3,092,853 6/1963 Owen ..9/317 X 3,242,514 r 3/ 1966 Waters ..9/318 3,266,668 8/1966 Davis ..9/318 X Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Handren Attorney-Merchant & Gould ABSTRACT A body having actuating means attached thereto, which actuating means is biased toward a first position and normally maintained in a second position by a strap which deteriorates upon wetting to allow the actuating means to move into the first position; The trigger mechanism is associated with an inflatable life preserver or the like and a pressurized fluid container having valve means therein which are operated by the actuating means in the first position to allow the pressurized fluid to inflate the life preserver.

8 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU NIB 3 I97? AT TORNEYS TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR INFLATABLE LIFE PRESERVERS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Life preservers and other types of inflatable devices are generally cumbersome and ackward to handle in the inflated condition. Thus, it is the present practice to supply a pressurized fluid container with the inflatable device, which container has valve means therein that can be actuated after the inflatable device has been moved to the position or located at which it is to be used. Storing and moving the inflatable devices in a deflated condition greatly increases the efficiency and speed with which they can be stored and moved when needed.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the prior art inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container with valve means therein are stored in a generally spherical hollow container. A trigger mechanism operates the valve means to inflate the device upon the release thereof. The trigger mechanism is maintained in an inactive position by pellets of water soluble material. The spherical container has holes therein so that once it is immersed in water the water fills the container and dissolves the pellets to release the trigger mechanism and inflate the life preserver.

In general, the water soluble pellets in the prior art have a tendency to crumble easily and release the trigger mechanism prematurely. The pellets are especially susceptible to high humidity conditions and, because the pellets have pressure thereon from the trigger mechanism, have a tendency to crumble with age. Also, excessive forces, such as those prevalent when the container is dropped on a hard surface, have a tendency to cause the pellets to crush prematurely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to an improved mechanism for inflatable devices such as life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith including a body having actuating means mounted thereon spring biased toward a first or valve actuating position and normally held in a second position by liquid deteriorative strap means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved trigger mechanism for inflatable devices such as life preservers and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved trigger mechanism which is responsive to liquids in contact therewith but is less susceptible to operate prematurely under adverse conditions, such as high humidity and shock.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the F IGS.:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a generally spherical container with an inflatable life preserver therein having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and he present trigger mechanism attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 2 in FIG. 1 with portions thereof shown in elevation;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen from the line 3- 3 in FIG. 2 with portions thereof shown in elevation; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the life preserver inflated, portions thereof broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figures the numeral 10 generally designates a somewhat spherical hollow container having a plurality of openings 11 therethrough. The openings 11 are formed in the container 10 so that liquids, such as water and the like, can flow freely therein when the container 10 is immersed. The container 10 is formed of two mating halves 12 and 13 which are quickly and easily seperable and which are temporarily held together by some convenient means, such as friction, tape, or the like. It should be understood that many types of containers might be utilized and-the present container 10 is illustrated because of its simplicity, ruggedness, ease of storage and handling.

A generally toroidally shaped inflatable life preserver 15 is illustrated deflated in FIGS. I3 and inflated in FIG. 4. The preserver 15 has in communication with the main body thereof an outwardly extending branch or tubular portion 16 which surrounds and contains therein a pressurized fluid container 17. The container 17 has sufiicient air, under pressure, therein to inflate the preserver 15 when the air is released from the container 17 into the preserver 15. A push-button type valve device 20 is mounted in one end of the container 17 and operates to allow the egress of the pressurized air from the container 17 into the preserver 15, through the tubular portion 16, when the push-button of the valve device 20 is depressed or forced inwardly toward the container 17. It should be understood that many valve devices might be devised by those skilled in the art and the present device 20 is illustrated because of its simplicity.

A generally wedge-shaped body 25 is afiixed to an L- shaped bracket 26 by some means such as welding or forming as an integral part thereof, so that one arm of the bracket 26 extends generally parallel with the lower surface of the body 25 and the other arm extends perpendicularly away from the body 25. The bracket 26 is positioned over the container 17 so that the body 25 is in juxtaposition to one side thereof and the perpendicularly extending arm is engaged over the end of the container 17 opposite the .valve device 20. The wedgeshaped body 25 has an arcuate or rounded tip 27 with a channel 28 extending therefrom toward the side of the body 25 opposite the tip 27,'which side is designated 29. A hole is formed in the body 25 which extends from the side 29 into communication with the channel 28. It should be understood that the body 25 might be eliminated in certain embodiments and the container 17 or some other device might be utilized as a base means to mount the various parts of the trigger mechanism in the desired relative position.

A plunger 30 having an enlarged end 31 and an exaway from the side 29. The outermost end of the connecting rod 32 is bent upwardly in a generally hookshaped configuration and engaged through a hole 35 adjacent one end of a connecting link 36. The connecting link 36 extends across the end of the container 17 so that approximately the mid-portion thereof is in abutting engagement with the end of the push-button in the valve device 20. A second elongated'bracket 37 is formed so that it extends along the side of the container 17 opposite the bracket 26 and one end is engaged or hooked over the end of the container 17 opposite the valve device 20 while the opposite end is bent at an angle less than ninety degrees inwardly toward the valve device 20. A hole 38 is formed in the bracket 37 adjacent the end bent toward the valve device 20 and the free end of the connecting link 36 is engaged therein. The free end of the connecting link 36 is bent sufficiently to maintain it engaged in the hole 38 and allow pivotal movement between the connecting link and the bracket 37.

In the present structure the trigger mechanism is maintained fixedly positioned on the container 17 by means of two lengths of material 40, which may be tape or'the like having adhesive thereon, that are wrapped around the container 17 and the brackets 26 and 37. A strap 45, formed of a double thickness of material to form strap portions 45a, 45b, extends around the tip 27 of the body and is fixedly attached by means of screws 46 adjacent both ends thereof to the body 25 adjacent the side 29. The strap 45 closes the end of the channel 28 and maintains the plunger 30 within the channel 28 with the spring 33 tightly compressed. The brackets 26 and 37 are formed so that the connecting link 36 bears against the button of the valve device 20 without depressing the button when the plunger 30 is maintained in the channel 28 by the strap 45. When the strap 45 is removed or severed the spring 33 forced the enlarged end 31 of the plunger 30 longitudinally away from the side 29 whereby the hooked end of the connecting rod 32 pulls the connecting link 36 toward the body 25 and depresses the button of the valve device 20.

The strap 45 is constructed of a material which is sufficiently strong to hold the plunger 30 within the channel 28 when the strap 45 is dry but which deteriorates rapidly upon being immersed in a liquid, such as water or the like. Some examples of material which may be utilized to form the strap 45 are felt, paper, cardboard, and many paper products. In the present embodiment the tip 27 is formed in a large arc so that no sharp bends are formed in the strap 45 and substantially all of the force produced by the spring 33 and plunger 30 is directed longitudinally along the strap 45. In general, the strap 45 can be any material which has greater strength when dry than it has when it is wet'and the trigger structure can be designed so that the forces are insufiicient to break the strap 45 when the strap 45 is dry but upon the immersion of the strap 45 in a liquid the spring 33 forces the plunger 30 to break the strap 45 and the valve device 20 is actuated. To assure rapid disintegration or deterioration of strap 45, during exposure to liquid in which the container 10 may be thrown, there is provided spacer means in the nature of plurality of spacers or shims 47. As shown in FIG. 2, a spacer 47 is interposed between the strap portion 45a and body 25 on opposite sides thereof and between the strap portions 45a, 45b on opposite sides of body 25. In this manner all sides of strap portions 45a, 45b lying along thesides of body 25 are exposed to liquid. in which the container 10 is immersed, thus assuring rapid deterioration of the strap 45 and actuation of the trigger mechanism to release pressurized air into the life preserver 15. Further, while the present design of the body 25 provides for the use of a relatively fragile strap 45, it should be understood that variations or im provements may be designed by those skilled in the art which are more readily adaptable to specific types of strap material.

Thus, an improved trigger mechanism is disclosed which operates when immersed in a liquid such as water to actuate a valve mechanism and inflate devices such as life preservers or the like. Because a liquid deteriorative strap is utilized to maintain the trigger mechanism in the normal or deactive position, the assembly is less susceptible to shock forces, high humidity and the like. Further, the device is more easily assembled and can be stored for longer periods of time with less danger of inadvertent activation thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising:

a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means;

actuating means including channel means having an open end mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited movement between a first position outward from said open channel end and a second position generally coterminous with said open end, and a connecting link having a first end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said push button valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve;

c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a bias thereon urging said plunger means toward the first position; and

d. liquid deteriorative strap means having first and second ends fixedly positioned relative to said base means and extending across said open end of said channel means to engage said actuating means for normally holding said plunger means in the second position and allowing movement of said plunger means to the first position upon deterioration of said strap means.

2. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the strap means is formed of felt.

3. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the strap means is formed from a paper product.

4. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in further combination with spacer means interposed between said base means and said liquid deteriorative strap means whereby to expose the side of said strap means adjacent said base means to the liquid.

.5. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising:

a. actuating means associated with said pressurized fluid container for limited movement between a first position and a second position, said actuating means engaging said valve means in the first position and causing the actuation thereof;

b. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a bias thereon urging said actuating means toward the first position;

c. a plurality of juxtapositioned strap portions engaging said actuating means for normally holding said actuating means in the second position and allowing movement of said actuating means into the first position upon deterioration of said strap means; and

d. spacer means interposed between each of said plurality of strap portions.

6. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 5 including base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means wherein:

a. said actuating means is mounted on said base means;

b. said strap portions are fixedly positioned relative to said base means; and

c. said spacer means is interposed between said base means and said strap portions.

7. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said actuating means includes channel means mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited movement between a first and second positiomand a con- I necting link having a first end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve; and b. said spring means engages said plunger urgingsaid plunger toward said first position.

8. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising:

a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means;

b. actuating means including channel means between a first position and a second position, and a connecting link having a first end pivotably connected to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said push button valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve;

c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a biasing force thereon urging said plunger means toward the first position;

. liquid deteriorative strap means fixedly positioned relative to said base means and extending in a generally arcuate loop about said actuating means in engagement therewith for normally holding said plunger means in the second position and allowing movement of said plunger means to the first position upon deterioration of said strap means; and

e. body means fixedly attached to said base means and defining a curved surface for engaging said strap means to maintain said strap means positioned in said arcuate loop. 

1. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising: a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means; b. actuating means including channel means having an open end mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited movement between a first position outward from said open channel end and a second position generally coterminous with said open end, and a connecting link having a first end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said push button valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve; c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a bias thereon urging said plunger means toward the first position; and d. liquid deteriorative strap means having first and second ends fixedly positioned relative to said base means and extending across said open end of said channel means to engage said actuating means for normally holding said plunger means in the second position and allowing movement of said plunger means to the first position upon deterioration of said strap means.
 2. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the strap means is formed of felt.
 3. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the strap means is formed from a paper product.
 4. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in further combination with spacer means interposed between said base means and said liquid deteriorative strap means whereby to expose the side of said strap means adjacent said base means to the liquid.
 5. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising: a. actuating means associated with said pressurized fluid container for limited movement between a first position and a second position, said actuating means engaging said valve means in the first position and causing the actuation thereof; b. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a bias thereon urging said actuating means toward the first position; c. a plurality of juxtapositioned strap portions engaging said actuating means for normally holding said actuating means in the second position and allowing movement of said actuating means into the first position upon deterioration of said strap means; and d. spacer means interposed between each of said plurality of strap portions.
 6. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 5 including base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means wherein: a. said actuating means is mounted on said base means; b. said strap portions are fixedly positioned relative to said base means; and c. said spacer means is interposed between said base means and said strap portions.
 7. An improved trigger mechanism as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. said actuating means includes channel means mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said channeL for limited movement between a first and second position, and a connecting link having a first end pivotably attached to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve; and b. said spring means engages said plunger urging said plunger toward said first position.
 8. An improved trigger mechanism for inflatable life preservers and the like having a pressurized fluid container associated therewith and push button valve means for providing a flow path from said container into said life preserver upon the actuation thereof, said trigger mechanism comprising: a. base means fixedly positioned relative to said valve means; b. actuating means including channel means mounted on said base means, plunger means positioned within said channel for limited movement between a first position and a second position, and a connecting link having a first end pivotably connected to said base means and a second end pivotably attached to said plunger, said connecting link engaging said push button valve means intermediate said first and second ends of said link in the first position of said plunger and causing the actuation of said valve; c. spring means mounted in engagement with said actuating means for providing a biasing force thereon urging said plunger means toward the first position; d. liquid deteriorative strap means fixedly positioned relative to said base means and extending in a generally arcuate loop about said actuating means in engagement therewith for normally holding said plunger means in the second position and allowing movement of said plunger means to the first position upon deterioration of said strap means; and e. body means fixedly attached to said base means and defining a curved surface for engaging said strap means to maintain said strap means positioned in said arcuate loop. 